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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

WWYD?

14 replies

purplefish · 04/08/2010 14:10

Boy next door aged 7 has an Swiss army knife that his Grandad lent him yesterday. He has shown me and said that his grandad told him he isn't allowed to use the knife part. My 7 yr old DS is outside playing with him and I feel really uneasy about it.

I know boy next door very well and while i don't have a much trouble from him (because he knows i wouldn't stand for it!), he can be a bit of a wotsit (for want of a better word) and I wouldn't trust him with a knife of any description. I have no idea what the grandfather was thinking allowing him to have it!

I have told him I am not very happy about it, and have told my DS to come in and tell me if he does get the knife out, but would it be unreasonable to go next door and ask the nanny to tell him to leave it inside while he is playing?

OP posts:

pjmama · 04/08/2010 14:15

I would. Giving a 7 year old a pen knife to play with is sheer bloody stupidity.

scurryfunge · 04/08/2010 14:15

Little boys can be obsessed with weapons can't they?

It is tricky.

I would teach your DS that it is not a suitable toy and hope that he adheres to your advice (though appreciate 7 year olds might not care!).

There are plenty of things thta children find fascinating that can do them harm around the house and garden so knives are not the only risk.

I would let the nanny know that you prefer your child not to have access to the knife.

Can you insist that he only plays around your house where you can kep tabs on your DS?

GypsyMoth · 04/08/2010 14:16

yabu.....their life,their choice.....if YOU arent comfortable with it,then bring your ds in away from the situation.....you cant make someone take something in because you dont agree

moonminmama · 04/08/2010 14:16

I would do that if I were you. I certainly wouldnt be happy with my ds playing out with anybody who has a knife regardless of why they had it or how trust worthy they are tbh. I may be over protective, but better safe than sorry imo.

winnybella · 04/08/2010 14:19

I agree. DS is 8 and my mum's friend gave him a swiss army knife few weeks ago on holidays and he plays with it in a very sensible and cautious manner. Yet I understand your worry.

pjmama- I remember when growing up all the kids had pen knives and we were using them pretending to be pirates or Indians and making bow and arrows etc. No one ever got hurt. If your kid is sensible I don't see a problem- but that's what OP is not sure about wrt the neighbour.

Original poster

purplefish · 04/08/2010 14:27

So ILoveTIFFANY, we share a big driveway and we personally have a large garden at the front which we are happy for the children next door to use with our children.

I have already made it clear this little boy, although very lovely, is NOT trustworthy, especially not with a knife!!! This isn't a water pistol or a plastic sword, it's not even a big stick, it's a knife!! And why should my DS not be able to play in his own garden just because the boy next door is permitted to carry around knives?

I know little boys are fascinated by weapons of any kind, mine included, but wouldn't let them play with a weapon that could potentially hurt someone quite seriously!

OP posts:

trainsetter · 04/08/2010 14:28

I would probably bring my child in.

Original poster

purplefish · 04/08/2010 14:29

Probalem solved for now anyway, bucket loads of rain falling from the sky! I have had another chat with them both and said that even the corkscrew/scissors etc could hurt either one of them if they aren't careful and both have listened. I will monitor it...when the rain has stopped....

OP posts:

Original poster

purplefish · 04/08/2010 14:29

And i will have a chat with the nanny in a minute whilst they are both inside and let her know how i feel about it.

OP posts:

curlymama · 04/08/2010 14:34

I think you could have a chat with Nanny next door and share your concerns. Yanbu, so at least you will know that the things you have said to the other boy about safety are going to be reinforced at home.

GypsyMoth · 04/08/2010 14:35

er,all you said is 'ds is outside playing'......if its your property send him home with his knife........if its not,then bring your ds in.....simple really

LynetteScavo · 04/08/2010 14:40

The Granddad was probably thinking "The boy is now 7, old enough to have a pen knife"

My dad was given a gun when he was 7, and I'm pretty sure my brother had a penknife a 7.

Times change.

You wouldn't be unreasonable to have a word with the grandparents.(He's already shon it to you, so you don't need to wait to see if he gets it out...by then he could have already used it) They'll probably go along with you and keep the knife in doors, and think to themselves you are a little bit paranoid.

ChippingIn · 04/08/2010 14:49

I wouldn't worry about it too much to be honest, the worst they are likely to do is whittle a bit of wood. They are no more dangerous now than they were when we were kids and we all survived!

But if it is bothering you, then yes, you should ask his nanny to make sure he keeps if off of your driveway and out of your garden, really anything beyond that isn't any of your business.

Tell your DS to come inside if the blade is taken out.

lolapoppins · 04/08/2010 15:50

I hate those knives.

My ds is also seven, and almost all the other little boys we know in home educating circles have them (it's one of the big things with the home ed families where we are, get your children swiss army knives, I just don't get it).

I've witnessed enough children being dangerous with them to think it's a bloody stupid idea to let young children run around with knives, I won't let ds play with kids who have go them on them.

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